

Chelsea Gallagher
Canadian expat in Vietnam
About me
Canadian
Lives in Ho Chi Minh City
Registration: 18 June 2024
Articles written by Chelsea Gallagher

Working in Hanoi understandably brings up a lot of questions. Thoughts like, what is the work culture like? Or, what is the work-life balance expectation? Even more importantly, how do I immerse myself without embarrassing myself? In reality, things are nowhere near as bad as your nerves may be projecting. If you do not speak Vietnamese, rest assured your employers will speak English during work-related discussions or social gatherings. Colleagues are usually eager to help you learn Vietnamese and will enthusiastically help you try new foods.
19 November 2023
Moving to a new city abroad can be a daunting experience. Being thrown in the deep end without any shock resistance can make the jet lag seem even more intense. New sounds can often be as fierce, especially when they're roosters, temple bells, or vendors with recording devices, and that's before you tackle the language barrier! Strange smells and unusual dishes might make the stomach question its own appetite, but fear not. º£½ÇÂÒÂ× is here to help you adjust to your new life in Hanoi!
17 November 2023
Whenever you venture to a new country and culture, it's great to do some background research on etiquette. Vietnamese are very welcoming and forgiving, but you don't want to embarrass yourself or potentially alienate new friends by accident. Â
17 November 2023
At first glance, the Hanoi Old Quarter is overwhelming. A pool of bodies, young and old, loud music, and people cheering beers, mixed with the aromas of street food and the bright lights of scooters parked everywhere. If you are exploring alone or with your family, the first look may cause you to stumble and run back to the safety of your hotel.Â
17 November 2023
Moving to a new city is daunting, and starting from scratch with your professional network can be exceptionally frustrating. In Vietnam, there are several ways to develop a professional network and meet an assortment of connections that could potentially open new doors for you in the future while living in Hanoi.
17 November 2023
If you're planning to travel to Vietnam or intend to stay in the country long term, then it would be wise to research the best health insurance options. Although Vietnam is a beautiful country for countless reasons, there are different bacteria that your body will not be able to fight or potential motorcycle accidents. Therefore, purchasing health insurance in Vietnam should be one of your top priorities.
12 November 2023
As an expat couple or an expat in a relationship with a Vietnamese person, the notion of having children has probably been a point of discussion. If you're already halfway there, then allow us to be among the first to congratulate you. Moreover, get used to this: the elderly and children are highly regarded in Vietnam. Therefore, pregnancy is a huge topic of conversation and praise here. Naturally, parents of both parties will be overjoyed nine times out of ten. However, you're probably going to receive attention from strangers, too.
12 November 2023
In recent years, Vietnam has become a hub for expats looking to teach English due to the high demand for teachers. And while people may often assume the primary jobs available in Ho Chi Minh City are within the education sector, that isnt necessarily the case. While teaching ESL is undoubtedly a popular choice among expats of all ages, it is surprisingly not at the top of the market.
13 July 2019
Moving to a new city and country can be a daunting and overwhelming challenge. Pair this with adapting to an entirely foreign business and cultural environment, and it can feel downright gruelling. Although there are plenty of networking opportunities for expats relocating to Ho Chi Minh City, they may find themselves wondering how to carry themselves in professional networking situations.
13 July 2019
Theres never a shortage of things to do within Ho Chi Minh City. Whether expats are planning on moving here solo, with a partner or their family, the buzzing city has plenty of happenings on a regular basis that caters to just about anyone.
13 July 2019
One of the most unique struggles some expats find with moving abroad is adapting to their new country's work environment and culture. While some may not find it a hard time transitioning into the foreign company culture, its not always a streamlined process. There are a few aspects regarding the work environment in Ho Chi Minh City that expats should be aware of prior to their big move.
13 July 2019
Choosing your neighbourhood may not be an easy task, especially if you are a newcomer to Ho Chi Minh City. While Ho Chi Minh City is a relatively cheap city, some neighbourhoods might be more expensive than others but offer a different vibe and lifestyle.
12 July 2019
Although it may initially feel as though the majority of the expats living and working within Ho Chi Minh City are English as a Second Language teachers (ESL), thats certainly not the case. There are an incredible amount of professionals from various backgrounds located within Saigon, and with that comes the opportunity for business growth.
12 July 2019
Adjusting to the local culture in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam isnt always an easy feat. Even the most seasoned travellers may find themselves taken aback at first. Vietnam within itself is an entirely different atmosphere compared to the rest of Southeast Asia; it is hectic, noisy and often looks a bit lawless. Although Ho Chi Minh City itself feels immensely more modern compared to the rest of the country, it does take a bit of time to find a balance. Here are some of my top tips for adjusting to the local culture in Ho Chi Minh City.
12 July 2019
As Ho Chi Minh City continues to gain a reputation as a hub for engineering and telecommunications, more and more international students are looking at it as an attractive place to further their studies. While there are plenty of options for international students regarding accommodation, leisure and sports activities, it can be a bit daunting for young students to move to a new country without knowledge of the language. Here are a few tidbits for people coming to Ho Chi Minh City to study.
12 July 2019
The tourist visa allows you to stay in Vietnam for a defined period. Find in this article useful information about visa application procedures.
17 October 2013